One of the main methods that can detect various deviations in the work of the human body is a blood test for the total amount of sugar. In particular, it allows diagnosing such a serious disease as diabetes mellitus. And today we'll talk about how to donate blood for sugar.
In what cases can this analysis be prescribed?
The doctor gives an appointment for such an analysis if there is a suspicion of the development of diabetes, since it is for this disease that an increase in blood glucose levels is characteristic.
Research is mandatory if:
- there are complaints of constant thirst accompanied by severe dry mouth;
- dramatic weight loss occurs;
- increased urination;
- fatigue is observed.
Analysis is mandatory for overweight people, as well as hypertensive patients.
Analysis
To say exactlyabout how to donate blood for sugar, there is nothing complicated here. Whichever option of blood sampling is chosen (finger or vein), they donate blood only in the morning and on an empty stomach.
Preparing for the upcoming study
Before donating blood, you can not drink alcohol-containing drinks (this also applies to beer). Alcohol in the first few hours after ingestion can increase blood sugar levels. Later, the reverse process takes place. The liver, which is responsible for processing protein into glucose, is forced to cope with the consequences of alcohol intoxication. This is why blood sugar levels are falling, and the morning blood test is likely to be wrong.
Before donating blood, you should also not eat for at least eight hours. You can only drink plain water. How to donate blood for sugar and how to prepare for the test, you now know. It's time to get acquainted with the decryption of the data.
Fasting sugar: normal
The morning glucose level should not exceed the limits of 3, 50…5, 50 mmol/liter. Throughout the day, indicators may fluctuate, but generally remain in this range.
Increasing the numbers to 5, 50…6, 00 mmol/liter is interpreted as a pre-diabetic condition. In such a situation, additional research will be required. If the clinical analysis of blood on an empty stomach showed that the concentration of sugar was above 6.00 mmol / l, then diabetes is practically confirmed.
Additional blood sugar tests
To clarify the diagnosis may be prescribedthe following tests:
- doing a glucose tolerance test;
- glycemic hemoglobin test.
Glucose tolerance test
If the sugar on an empty stomach (the norm you already know) is in the range of 5, 70…6, 90 mmol/liter, then an additional study is assigned.
Before the test, a person is prescribed a diet containing at least 125 g of carbohydrates. The study is also being carried out on an empty stomach.
The test itself looks like this:
- at the beginning, blood is taken from a finger;
- then you need to take an aqueous solution of glucose (75 g is dissolved in 200 ml of water);
- thereafter, blood is drawn every half an hour.
Diabetes mellitus is confirmed if the morning test showed a sugar level of 7.00 mmol/liter or more, and two hours after taking the glucose solution, the blood sugar concentration exceeded 11.00 mmol/liter.
If the first analysis showed that the sugar content is slightly less than 7.00 mmol/liter, and after two hours after taking the sweet solution, it falls within the range of 8.00….11.00 mmol/liter, then this is diagnosed as impaired glucose tolerance. And we can talk about a latent form of diabetes.
Determination of the level of glycemic hemoglobin
This blood test helps to calculate the average daily blood glucose level for the last 1-3 months. The blood is takenfrom a human vein.
The norm is up to 6%. The numbers 6.0…6.5% indicate an increased risk of developing diabetes. And with indicators above 6.5%, they confirm the diagnosis, but it is not always diabetes that is the cause of the deviations.
Additional causes of high blood sugar
Sugar can be elevated not only in diabetes. Hyperglycemia may indicate the presence of the following diseases:
- Pheochromocytoma, a serious disease of the endocrine system, when a person's blood receives a high amount of norepinephrine and adrenaline. Additional signs include spikes in blood pressure, an unexplained feeling of anxiety, rapid heart rate, and increased sweating.
- Pathological conditions of the endocrine system. Here we are talking about Cushing's syndrome and thyrotoxicosis.
- Hepatitis and cirrhosis are also associated with high blood sugar levels.
- Any form of pancreatitis and pancreatic tumors.
Another cause of hyperglycemia can be the use of certain medications, such as diuretics, oral contraceptives and anti-inflammatory steroids.
Sometimes blood sugar measurement shows too low a level. This condition is called hypoglycemia and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pallor of the skin;
- excessive sweating;
- strong feeling of hunger;
- inexplicable anxiety;
- accelerationheartbeat;
- sluggishness.
Everyone needs to control the amount of sugar in the blood, even if there are no deviations in general well-being. How to donate blood for sugar, what methods and generally accepted norms exist, you now know. Stay he althy!
